Scope$$$ Rifle$$$ Brand names and Quality

sealhunter

sealhunter

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Well over the years I have had some decent scopes and skimped on others.
I have spent 50% of gun value on Scopes, %100 and more.

What I have learned is that when you get a nice scope, whetjer it is %50 of the price of your gun or %150, try your best to have good optics.

A while back I really got into scopes, or I should say, a quest for "my" scope.

Having used many, I had many an adequate scope, but neither that overwhelmed me.

A while ago I purchased a scope that really did impress.

It was a Kahles.

I have used everything from Bushnell to Tasco, to Zeiss and Swarovski, Leupold,...etc etc.

The Khales is the best glass I have ever looked through.

I have found that Swarovski is becoming the Zeiss of yesteryear for those who want to spend bucks on having a brand name scope, even if they have never looked through one. That's not saying that Swarovski is not a good name (obviously), but when spending money on a scope that you think you may have for a while, it;s nice to compare rather then buy simply brand name.

I compared, and found for me, the Kahles was exactly what I wanted.

Thoughts?
 
whetjer it is %50 of the price of your gun or %150, try your best to have good optics
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Absolutely! Buy the best that you can afford. And don't skimp on the bases and rings to mount your investment. Too often I have seen $1000 rifle, $500 scope and $20 base and rings.
 
gunrunner100 said:
Absolutely! Buy the best that you can afford. And don't skimp on the bases and rings to mount your investment. Too often I have seen $1000 rifle, $500 scope and $20 base and rings.
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Yeah the cheapo rings thing kinda bothers me. I have recieved a few rifles with Leupold glass on top mounted in some crappy no-name rings. Those go immediately.

Kahles has a very good following overseas and I think is starting to come into its own now in North America.

One thing is certain, buy the best glass (and mounts) that you can afford and your range trips (and hunting trips) will result in fewer headaches and more success.
 
Though I appreciate and own good optics in the end the scope is a sighting device.
As long as you can see what you are shooting at, the scope does not loose its zero, or fall apart you have a winner....Something I have seen some of the "high end" scopes do all too often....My S&B scope has spent more time off of my rifle than on...

My current favorites on hunting rifles are the smaller sized 1-4X and 2-10X Nightforce scopes. There is not a tougher hunting scope made.
 
I've had a Zeiss conquest for several years that has been on probably 8-10 different rifles that is just a fantastic scope. I love the reticle, great glass, tough, I paid $400 used in 2002.
 
I started out with Bushnell scopes,then had all Leupolds,then tried some Zeiss scopes,and now I hunt only with Swarovski,and target shoot only with Nightforce.If I had to buy a scope on a small budget,it would be an Elite 3200,as they are very serviceable for a good price.For a larger budget,the Zeiss Conquest scopes are very good,but a little bulky.The Swarovski AV is lighter and smaller than a comparable Leupold,with glass and coatings perhaps slightly better than the Conquest.I just purchased a new hunting rifle a couple of days ago,and I didn't even have to think about the scope that it will be wearing.The scope will be my fifth Swarovski 3x10x42.
 
gunrunner100 said:
Absolutely! Buy the best that you can afford. And don't skimp on the bases and rings to mount your investment. Too often I have seen $1000 rifle, $500 scope and $20 base and rings.
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That being said, decent redfield-style Leupold brand rings are what? $40 or so? And are actually pretty good rings. I have $800 scopes mounted in $40 Leupold steel rings and no complaints, though I do prefer Talleys.
 
I have to agree that Bushnell 3200's are fine scopes. They're quite comparable to higher end scopes, and for me, 3200's used to be "high end"
and I always still managed to get my animals.

I see it almost like T.V's . When I got my first 26 inch, I thought I was at the movies...:D

Now with the flat screen and HD I have spent quite a bit more, and the picture and sound are better, but I watched a damn good many movies on that old 26 inch, and even today, it would serve the purpose quite adequately.

I don't "need" a higher end scope, but I do find the optics better, and if I can afford to treat myself here and there, well why not.

I shot 42 gophers with 50 rounds today. My super scope?
A ruko pellet gun scope on my .22 39a Golden Mountie
 
Remarkably, in Europe Kahles is considered 'top of the line', comparable to S&B. Swarovski (excellent, no matter how you cut it) are looked at as more of a utilitarian grade of optics.
I like Kahles, Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss for riflescopes and binoculars.

What's a Loopold? :nest:
 
gunrunner100 said:
Yes they are. I was referring to the Weaver knock-offs and Scope over Sight mounts.
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I had to cut a cheap weaver style ring off a scope today, cuz the allen screw was a weird size and stripped anyways.

Burris Zees and all steel Weaver bases are hard to beat with any priced scope.


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I too have used a lot of different high end scopes over the years and agree that Khales is a highly respectable manufacturer. But my favorite for hunting rifles would have to be Leica. I now have three mounted on two dedicated hunting bolt guns and one a hunting/target rifle. A quality scope makes a good rifle excellent...
 
Compared with friends New Zeiss with my Leupold LPS I won't be buying Zeiss and I don't think he will again iether. I have used leupold for 40 years never had a service problem and it sure makes it easy selling a used leupold with there warranty adds value for resale.
 
Compared with friends New Zeiss with my Leupold LPS I won't be buying Zeiss and I don't think he will again iether.
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Which model of Zeiss was it?Russell's is selling the Zeiss conquest for as low as $500,while the now discontinued Leupold LPS sold new for around $1200.
 
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sealhunter said:
I give you a great deal of respect for choosing a Leica.

Absolutely great scopes....
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Thank You, The Leica scopes provide generous eye relief & excellent optics. For a knuckle dragger eye relief is critical. I've used both European & American Zeiss & Khales & when it comes to the stuff over here, I think the Khales 'American Hunter' tops the Zeiss 'conquest' line of products. Which is funny because if I remember right, Zeiss bought out Khales sometime ago...
Regardless, I think you made an excellent investment in a rifle scope.
 
Hi
I would like your opinions on the Bushnell Elite 6500 or the Vortex I have heard of?
They are not totally high end scopes , but where would they be in the group?

Straight Shooting

Budweiser2
 
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